THE first domestic final of the year is HERE as Chelsea face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final.
And there’ll be a new winner of the competition for the first time since 2017, after Manchester City’s four triumphs in a row.
City were knocked out by West Ham on penalties in the fourth round.
The Blues are aiming for their second trophy THIS MONTH, having won the Club World Cup in Dubai.
Thomas Tuchel’s side defeated Tottenham in their semi-final to progress to the Carabao Cup final, while Liverpool dispatched of Arsenal in their semi-final.
- Start time: 4.30pm GMT
- TV/Live stream: Sky Sports Football
- Chelsea XI: Mendy, Chalobah, Thiago Silva, Rudiger, Azpilicueta, Kante, Kovacic, Alonso, Mount, Havertz, Pulisic
- Liverpool XI: Kelleher, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Thiago, Henderson, Mane, Diaz, Salah
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The Reds’ road to Wembley
Four clean sheets in five Carabao Cup games this season may make it seem as though it’s been plain sailing for Liverpool on their way to this year’s final.
However, they needed all their fighting spirit and belief in the quarters to rally from 2-0 and then 3-1 down to beat Leicester.
Even then, it was only an equaliser from Takumi Minamino deep into injury time and some good fortunate during the shootout that helped the Reds progress.
Jurgen Klopp’s team then saw off Arsenal in the semis, prevailing 2-0 at the Emirates after a goalless game at Anfield.
Rival fans unite for Ukraine
They may be fierce rivals in the Premier League and Europe, but Liverpool and Chelsea fans have come together at Wembley this afternoon to show their solidarity with the people of Ukraine.
A great number of Ukraine flags are already on display inside Wembley stadium with others being dispersed outside the stadium.
Meanwhile, anti-war messages are appearing on the big screen inside the ground, again showing support for Ukraine.
Carra slams ’embarrassing’ Chelsea
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has criticised Chelsea and Roman Abramovich for the statements both have issued in the 24 hours leading up to today’s League Cup Final.
The escalating events in Ukraine continue to overshadow sporting events, and have had a knock-on effect on one finalist, given the links between Abramovich and Vladimir Putin.
Abramovich issued a confusing and concerning statement last night relinquishing control of the club to its trustees, but made no comment regarding Russia’s invasion.
Hoping to smooth matters, Chelsea followed up this afternoon with a short statement condemning the war in Ukraine.
I think that the couple of statements they’ve put out – I think it’s been really poor. The club were trying to rectify what Roman Abramovich put out the night before, and I don’t think they did that well either, really. So it’s not worked out well for them at all. I think they’ve embarrassed themselves.”
Jamie Carragher
How Chelsea made the final
Today’s final will go to extra-time and even penalties if necessary, but that shouldn’t be a worry to Thomas Tuchel.
The German has already watched his side succeed on spotkicks twice in the competition this season, defeating both Aston Villa and Southampton at Stamford Bridge after 1-1 draws inside 90 minutes.
Chelsea were much more assured by the time they faced clubs from capital, beating both Brentford in the quarter-final and Spurs in the semi-final without conceding a goal.
James back on Blues bench
1 Kepa, 5 Jorginho, 9 Lukaku, 11 Werner, 12 Loftus-Cheek, 17 Saul, 20 Hudson-Odoi, 24 James, 31 Sarr
Mendy starts for Chelsea; No Lukaku
16 Mendy; 14 Chalobah, Thiago Silva, 2 Rudiger; 28 Azpilicueta, 7 Kante, 8 Kovacic, 3 Alonso; 10 Pulisic, 19 Mount; 29 Havertz
Jota named on Liverpool bench
1 Alisson, 5 Konate, 7 Milner, 8 Keita, 15 Oxlade-Chamberlain, 18 Minamino, 20 Jota, 21 Tsimikas, 27 Origi
Liverpool XI – Kelleher in goal
Young keeper Caoimhin Kelleher starts between the sticks for Liverpool, who make two changes in total to the team that swept Leeds aside in midweek.
Kelleher has been Jurgen Klopp’s choice for cup competitions this campaign, and the German coach keeps faith in the Irishman for the final, relegating Alisson on the bench.
Elsewhere, captain Jordan Henderson comes back into the midfield at the expense of Curtis Jones.
Diogo Jota is only considered fit enough for a place on the bench so the trio at the head of Liverpool’s 4-3-3 formation is Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Luis Diaz.
62 Kelleher; 66 Alexander-Arnold, 32 Matip, 4 Van Dijk, 26 Robertson; 14 Henderson, 3 Fabinho, 6 Thiago; 11 Salah, 10 Mane, 23 Diaz
Latest from the two camps
We’re expecting confirmation of the this afternoon’s starting line-ups in the next half hour, but here’s what the two clubs have told us in the build-up.
Chelsea’s only confirmed absentee is Ben Chilwell, although Thomas Tuchel faces an anxious wait to see whether Hakim Ziyech and Mateo Kovacic have recovered from the knocks they picked up in the midweek win over Lille.
There has even been a suggestion from Stamford Bridge that Reece James, out since late December, may return for a cameo at the home of football.
Roberto Firmino has definitely been ruled out for Liverpool, and fellow forward Diogo Jota is a major doubt.
Fortunately for Jurgen Klopp, Mo Salah and Sadio Mane are now back on the goalscoring trail after the time at the African Cup of Nations, while the exciting emergence of Luis Diaz can also help to fill any gaps.
Red hot favourites for success
There’s usually little between them when these two clubs meet, but the bookies are siding with Liverpool for this afternoon’s showdown at Wembley.
Jurgen Klopp’s team can be backed at a shade of odds against to win the final in 90 minutes, while they are odds on to take home the cup by any means necessary.
90-minute betting:
- Chelsea win 5/2
- Draw 11/5
- Liverpool win 23/20
To life the trophy:
- Chelsea 5/4
- Liverpool 13/20
Odds from Betfair correct at the time of post publication.
Final countdown
Jurgen Klopp has called on his Liverpool side to take their chances at Wembley.
He said: “I am realistic but very positive as well, because there’s no need for anything else.
“Qualifying for a final is not even close to winning it, but we should take a lot of confidence out of the things the boys did so far in the season or in general. Chelsea can do it as well.
“In the end, how it always is, it’s about who gets the momentum in the decisive situations, who can finish their situations off better, who can defend the opponent in the best possible way, so who can cut off most things of the strengths of the other team?
“That’s obviously a constant battle during the game.
“But it is nice, you will never play a final – it never happened to me, at least – against a ‘weaker’ side, you just face top-class teams, world-class teams and that is the case here as well.”
Ace up his sleeve
Thomas Tuchel has called on Chelsea to draw inspiration from Rafael Nadal’s Australian Open final victory over Daniil Medvedev as they battle the odds against Liverpool.
The Spaniards was two sets down before coming back to lift the trophy in Melbourne.
And Tuchel said: “But look what it takes to come to a final.
“If you have a tennis grand slam final like the last one between [Rafael] Nadal and [Daniil] Medvedev, who is the guy to raise the hand and say Medvedev is a loser after five-and-a-half hours of tennis out of this world.
“So we are very quick in judging and we are very quick in saying what he has to learn.
“Maybe he just also learns that he is on the level and he had everything it takes, and at some point, you need a bit of luck.
“You need to accept that okay, we left it all out there. And this is what we will do again.”
Chelsea on Ukraine
Chelsea released a brief statement on the war in Ukraine.
The club posted: “The situation in Ukraine is horrific and devastating. Chelsea FC’s thoughts are with everyone in Ukraine. Everyone at the club is praying for peace.”
Roman Abramovich has not criticised Putin directly for the war, but his daughter did make a very critical post on social media about the Russian leader’s decision to invade Ukraine.
Time to head down Wembley Way
Good afternoon and welcome to Wembley for live SunSport coverage of this season’s League Cup Final between Chelsea and Liverpool.
The match marks the first time in five years that a new name will be on the trophy.
Man City have won the competition in each of the past four seasons.
But Pep Guardiola’s men were beaten on penalties by West Ham earlier in the competition.
Chelsea have more recent pedigree in this competition, having beaten Tottenham to win it in 2015.
Liverpool have to go back to 2012 for their last success in the League Cup, when they beat Cardiff City on penalties.
But the Reds have looked the more promising team this season and sit just six points behind Man City in the Premier League with a game in hand.
Chelsea are ten points further back in the table than the Reds, but have played a game less.
And the Blues have already lifted a trophy this season, taking home the Club World Cup as they beat Brazilian side Palmeiras.
But this match may be overshadowed by events in Ukraine and Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich’s decision to relinquish control of the club.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
